Community Service

Taking responsibility by giving back.

Central Penn College is committed to a philosophy of community service that prepares graduates to be contributing members of society.

That's why all students are required to fulfill a service assignment prior to graduation. More than just an obligation, community service is an opportunity to learn, grow and gain social skills vital to life.

You can serve on campus or in an external service organization, but you must be an unpaid volunteer. It is not necessary to perform your service all at once. Hours can be earned anytime during enrollment.

Though club membership and meetings don't count, club service projects like the Homeless Sleep Out or Soup Kitchen qualify.

All students are required to hand in a completed service log to the internship advisor with their completed internship packets. All hours must be tracked in a log.

Internship grades will not be issued without successful completion of this service requirement. Continuing Education, transfer students and students that change majors or degree levels must also fulfill this requirement. Students who have already completed an internship will need to work with their academic advisor to ensure this goal is met prior to graduation.

Below are just a few of the organizations Central Penn students have served. New suggestions for community service are always welcome, but be sure the organization qualifies before you commit.

Charitable and service organizations. Would you like to see your opportunities posted here? Please email us with all of your particulars including organization name, address, contact information (phone number and email) and a short paragraph on your activities. We'll review your information and post it to our Website in no time!

The American Lung Association is the Primary
Contractor for the Tobacco Control Program of South Central
Pennsylvania. This program covers 13 counties that provide
tobacco related services to the communities pertaining to tobacco
education and cessation.

We are opening (2) Professional Development Positions
within this program. The primary focus would be involvement
within our coalition development. The coalition has (4)
active work groups within, who have project goals to accomplish
this Fiscal Year 12 (July 1 - June 30, 2012). The coalition
is looking for enthusiastic students who are interested in
obtaining some practical experience within the Tobacco Control
Program to assist with completion of these projects.

The description of the tasks and hours needed are
explained below:

A student will be assigned to one work group,
approx 1-3 hours a week. These hours could consist of coming
to the American Lung Association office in Camp Hill, PA or
participating in conference calls. The position can be
a 3 month period or longer depending on the student's
schedule.

Tasks may include some of the following: creating a
survey, developing an evaluation tool, putting together a power
point presentation template, making calls to healthcare facilities,
designing a manual, creating marketing and advertising strategies,
and participating if available in any conference calls or face to
face meetings your assigned workgroup may have.

If this sounds like an opportunity that you are
interested in, please contact Tammy Kreiser.

Castaway Critters is a 501 (c) 3, no-kill, foster home, animal rescue and spay/neuter charity for adoptable dogs and cats. CC also relies on donations, grants, and a great team of volunteers and supporters. Since 2001, they have assisted and found homes for over 11,000 animals. They are always looking for volunteers for adoption events at local pet supply stores, fundraisers, and administrative tasks. You can start with an application at www.castawaycritters.org. Or email us your questions at info@castawaycritters.org.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Girl Scouting. They make a difference in the lives of girls, in the success of families and in the growth of the communities. The strength of Girl Scouting rests on the shoulders of adult volunteers who are committed to helping today’s girls become tomorrow’s leaders. Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania has training, manuals, and professional support staff to provide volunteers all the tools necessary to be successful.

We have short term volunteer opportunities available in Cumberland County! We are looking for volunteers to work with Daisies (Kindergarten & 1st Grade) or Brownies ( 2nd & 3rd Grade) girls.

For more information, contact Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania at 800.692.7816 or visit www.gshpa.org.

We are looking for fun, energetic, volunteers to help in assisting with our residents in our long term care facility. Currently we have over 200 residents, and are looking to expand the programs that we currently are offering. Some opportunities that are currently available are: transporting to activities, assisting in programs, one to one championship, monthly trips (such as casinos, food, and shopping), and special events (such as daily BBQs and outside festivals) throughout the year. We are also looking for anyone musically or artistically inclined, that would be willing to share these talents with our residents. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact me at the phone number listed above. A background check is required and will be provided through the facility upon completion of application.

Grane Hospice seeks to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patients entrusted to them in the winter season of their lives. Volunteers are not just an afterthought, but valued and mandated members of the team who can offer their time to listen or read aloud to patients, take them outside for walks, write down patient memories, share talents (music, art, etc.).

Volunteers are offered free training, mileage reimbursement for their time on the road, free TB skin tests, drug screening, criminal background checks and all of the psycho-social services offered to the patients and families. Grane’s mission is to provide comfort and dignity for the body, mind and soul through unique, individualized, professional care plans which allow the patient to live comfortably in his or her ‘home’ surrounded by loved ones. They desire volunteers with this same heart of compassion and selflessness to join them!

The Home Depot Kid's Workshop is offered to kids ages 4-12. The
program teaches children basic motor skills using screwdrivers and
hammers via monthly projects. The volunteers would be involved with
the setup of the Kids Workshop and aiding the children in the
construction of the projects. Volunteers are expected to act in
accordance with guidelines and values set forth by The Home Depot
while aiding with the Workshop. Contact bfolk82@comcast.net or (717)
651-9699 (ask for Ben Folk).

JFSH is always looking for volunteers for our respite program.
Respite lets parents of special needs children take time out
and rejuvenate from challenges they face 24/7. We take kids to the
zoo, bowling, and more. You would help supervise them and help them
socialize with similar children. Contact Jennifer Prol,
Adoption/Respite Coordinator at, (717) 233-1681.

Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation's Wishmakers on Campus
program, students can create and carry out their own fundraiser to
help grant the wish of a local child who is dealing with so much
more than any child ever should.

Make-A-Wish Foundation's mission is to grant the
wishes of children suffering from life-threatening medical
conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and
joy.

This nonprofit organization seeks to improve the quality of life
of people affected by MS, serving more than 5,300 individuals. The
Chapter is a driving force of MS research, relentlessly pursuing
prevention, treatment and a cure. Volunteer activities include:
help at numerous events, internships, office assistance and
MS Activists. Join the movement to stop the devastating
effects of MS! Contact Barbara Bradshaw, Director of
Community Development, at barbara.bradshaw@nmss.org.

Northern Dauphin Revitalization Project, Inc. (NDRP) is a
volunteer organization committed to eliminating abandoned and
blighted properties in the downtowns of Halifax, Millersburg,
Elizabethville, Gratz, Lykens, Williamstown, and Tower City and
encouraging business development focused on tourism, education, and
technology. Using the Main Street approach to downtown
economic redevelopment, NDRP seeks students to serve in research
projects within the seven "anchor" communities. Contact Dr. Ben
Scott, Regional Coordinator at (717) 362-1438 or NDRPBen@epix.net.

River of God Church is an active, contemporary church with many
event volunteer opportunities. The church hosts Community Night
w/Fireworks, Picnic Celebration, Pumpkin Fest, Lite the Night,
Harvest Carnival, Christmas Dinner Theater, Easter Production,
Weekly Coffee Bar. Student can serve as anything from coffee bar
attendants to carpenters, plus dozens of other fun and rewarding
jobs. Students will be overwhelmingly welcomed and appreciated for
their efforts. Visit them at 747 Wertzville Road, Enola, PA
17025.

Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center is a not-for-profit organization that provides a family centered education and therapy program for infants, children and adolescents with developmental delays and disabilities in the Lancaster county area. Their goal oriented approach maximizes each child's ability to function as independently as possible within the community. We have volunteer projects available throughout the year at the Center and our special events. For more details, contact Marie Johnston at mjohnston@schreiberpediatric.org.

NEEDED: Volunteer Summer Administrative Assistant Flexible days 20 hours per weekPosition available immediatelyWorking in the Financial Development Office

YOU can play a major role in helping the thousands of children with special needs at Schreiber. Help us by designing flyers, brochures and other marketing pieces related to events such as Phonathon, Softball Weekend, Palooza, Rubber Duckie Race™ and our Golf Tournament. Writing newspaper articles, organizing supplies, bulk mailings, data entry and much, much more will round out this exciting summer opportunity. You will be working with all segments of our constituents from Board members, professional staff, community leaders and other volunteers.

Come for a tour of the Center and meet our kids! Contact Marie TODAY if you are a college junior/senior looking for great non-profit experience for your resume. mjohnston@schreiberpediatric.org

NEEDED: Volunteers for 3rd Annual Phonathon

We are hosting our 3rd Annual Phonathon starting Sunday, May 3 through Wednesday, May 6. We need you to help call our current supporters – first, to thank them for their generous support and second, to ask for a gift to the Phonathon campaign. Last year, we were able to raise an amazing $40,000 to support the work we do for the children that come to the Center for help.

Just imagine the influence your call as a Schreiber grandparent or parent, will have on our supporters.

Please consider joining us here at the Center on one of those nights (May 3 through May 6) from 5pm-8:30pm. We NEED your help to make this campaign a success!

Shining Light Thrift Shop (SLTS) is a non-profit ministry of the Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick. They provide clothing, household goods and furniture to the homeless and economically disadvantaged of the Harrisburg community. They do this through free and discount programs based on household income. They are in need of volunteers that can help in their store doing many different tasks such as sorting clothes, tagging clothing, hanging clothes, and more. Contact Connie Hanna at (717) 234-2436 or ShiningLightThriftShop@gmail.com.

For more than 50 years, UCP Central PA has served people of all
ages with any type of disability. They provide programs and
services to more than 3,500 individuals and families throughout
Central PA. Volunteer opportunities are available in adult
day programs, childhood programs, special events and administrative
support at their offices.

Volunteers are wanted to assist with some simple research. The
project simply involves going on the Internet and "Googling" names
of prospective supporters to get a correct phone number. We have
work stations available Monday through Friday during regular
business hours (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM), and a staff person available to
answer any questions. Offices are located so close to the College.
For details, please call (717) 732-0700, ext. 39. You also may
contact Jennifer Daniels at (717) 732-0700, ext. 31.

West Enola Fire Co has a Free live-in program for college
students that are currently Volunteer Firefighters. They also seek
volunteers to help with projects and fundraising. The fire company
has constructed new living quarters complete with full kitchen,
bunk rooms, locker rooms, laundry, entertainment room, and wireless
internet access. Contact Chief Dressler at 717-732-1919 or visit www.westenolafire.com.

Central Penn College is a career-oriented, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate, residential college in Summerdale, a suburb of Harrisburg, with an offsite location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Central Penn College offers associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs for both traditional and continuing education students by providing hands-on and online distance education taught by experienced, caring faculty.